Dying peachicks

[Matt51001]

I have about 30 baby peachicks that were hatched from incubators. They range from 2 months to two weeks. I have lost at least 10 so far. They look fine and active, then all of a sudden one will look lethargic and die in a day or two. What do you all recommend to keep them from dying? Thank you for your responses in advance.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If this were happening to me I'd get a necropsy ASAP
What state are you in? Each state has poultry diagnostic labs for this purpose. Most are university vet schools, some are associated with the ag department.

 

[Waterfaery]

Of course, nobody on the internet can tell you for sure but coccidiosis is by far the most likely issue and Toltrazuril is the treatment.

 

[KsKingBee]

I totally agree with Waterfaery. Your chicks are dying from cocci and the only cure is toltrazuril. I dose my chicks monthly until the snow flies.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What kind of bacteria has been observed in the feces? Or by cocci, do you mean coccidiosis? Not one in the same.

 

[KsKingBee]

What kind of bacteria has been observed in the feces? Or by cocci, do you mean coccidiosis? Not one in the same.

Cocci is just short for coccidiosis, it is not a bacteria, it is a protozoa. Peachicks usually die within a couple of days after showing symptoms. It is also the number one killer of peachicks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Some people may eroneously use the term cocci as an abbreviation of coccidiosis but it isn't. Coccidiosis is a gastrointestinal problem caused by the protozoa coccidia.
Cocci on the other hand is the plural of coccus, which is any spherical bacterium - not protozoa.